Form for concrete stair



Nov; 8, 1966 F. A. INGALlsE 3,284,042

FORM FOR CONCRETE STAIR Filed June 1, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /Nr/E/vm/Q FRED A. INGALISE United States Patent O 3,284,042 FORM FOR CONCRETE STAIR Fred A. Ingaiise, Omaha, Nebr., assignor of one-half to Samuel A. Rizzuto, Omaha, Nebr. Filed `lune 1, 1964, Ser. No. 371,278 4 Claims. (Cl. 249-14) This invention relates to concrete stair units for dwellings and other buildings. In particular, this invention relates to long-wearing, warp-resistant, sectional forms into which concrete may be poured to produce a stair unit comprising a plurality of intersecting planar surfaces.

The primary object of this invention resides in the provision of a concrete sectional form capable of being readily assembled in a number of different ways from elongate structural elements having detachable connections with one another to define different types and sizes of stair units.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a sectional form wherein the elongate structural elements are simply and economically fabricated from longwearing, warp-resistant materials including metals.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sectional form wherein the detachably connected elongate structural elements are maintained in the preselected position and in a warp-free unbowed condition, even while the form is filled wtih weighty semi-fluid concrete, so that the various intersecting surfaces of the resultant concrete step are of desirable planar configuration.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sectional form that is equally adaptable for side steps, wherein the respective tread surfaces thereof are in perpendicular abutment with the adjacent building structure, as well as for straight steps wherein the respective tread surfaces are parallel to and incrementally removed from the adjacent building structure.

It is yet another object to provide a sectional form that will provide a variety of tread surface widths and depths, as well as any desired number of steps.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a sectional form that will provide a concrete stair unit, the planar riser surfaces of which may be alternatively, vertical to provide a standard stair, or of slanting configuration to provide a so-called commercial type stair.

The present invention resides in a plurality of superimposed frames comprising at least two substantially perpendicular structural elements, together ywith detachable auxiliary paraphenalia for readily and stably connecting the frames and constituent structural elements with one another on location, a back member structural element of the respective frames being offset with relationship to one another to define the risers of the stair unit, and with a leg member structural unit of the respective frames defining the sides of the stair unit.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being Vunderstood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the drawing:

FIGURE l is a perspective View of one type of stair unit sectional form made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a leg member structural element component of the stair unit sectional form of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the stair unit sectional form of the present 3,284,042 Patented Nov. 8, 1966 invention to provide a side step stair unit.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the back member component of the stair unit sectional form of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective View of a leg member component of the stair unit sectional form of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded View of the -leg member component of FIGURE 3.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 10 in FIGURE l generally designates one type of stair form which may be produced by the sectional form construction of this invention. The form is comprisedof a number of lengths of elongate rectangular trays detachably connected together to provide a straight or front step stair unit having two risers.

The form of FIGURE 1 comprises a pair of superimposed frames, including a lower and longer frame 11 and an upper frame 12. The lower frame 11 includes a pair of equal-length parallel leg members 13 perpendicular to and detachably connected with an interveningcrosswise back member 14. Lower frame leg members 13 are elongate rectangular trays having a planar rectangular base 15 and four flanged integral side walls perpendicular to the base and turned outwardly of the form 10. The two elongate parallel side walls 16 and 17 of leg members 13 are provided with pairs of vertically aligned holes 18, each aligned pair being approximately one foot apart, which is the customary depth for steps. The two shorter parallel side Walls -19 and 20 of leg members 13 are each provided with a plurality of holes 21.

Intermediate crosswise back member 14 is of similar elongate rectangular tray construction having a planar rectangular base 22 and four flanged integral side Walls perpendicular to the base and turned outwardly of the form 10. Rectangular base 22 is provided With'several sets of perforation pairs 23,' each pair being in vregistry Ywith the holes 21 in side walls 19, each set of pairs being by elongate side wall 24 of back member 14.

Upper frame 12 of form 10 is of similar construction to that of lower frame 11 except that upper frame leg members 28 are about one foot shorter than lower frame lleg members 13, one foot being the customary tread depth for steps. The two elongate parallel side walls 31 and 32 of upper frame leg members 28 are provided with a pair of vertically aligned holes 33. The intermediate crosswise back member 14 of upper frame 12 is in all respects identical to the back member of lower frame 11. Upper frame 12 thus comprises intermediate crosswise back member 14 detachably connected in perpendicular relationship to a pair of equal-length parallel leg members 28 by means of fasteners 27. The upper frame leg members 28 overlie the lower frame leg members 13, and the upper frame is supported uprightly in this position by elongate side walls 31 resting upon elongate side walls 17.

The upper frame leg members 28 being about one foot shorter than the lower leg frame members 13 therebeneath, the respective back members 14 are in one foot offset relationship so as to provide risers for the form 10. Leg members 13 and 28 provide the upright sides for form 10. The upright sides of the form are maintained perpendicular to the ground and resist outward movement even -while the form is filled with semi-fluid concrete by virtue of vertical rods 30 passing through vertical aligned holes 33 and 18 in leg members 28 and 13, respectively, and into the ground. Opposed pairs of rods 30 are maintained in the vertical position and parallel to one another by means of taut removable connections therebetween, e.g. taut wires 34 above form 10. Maintenance of the entire form in abutment with the foundation wall 35 of the structure is accomplished by means of nails 36 passing through holes 21 of side walls 20; additionally a vertical stake 37 passes through vertically aligned holes 26 of lower frame 11 and into the ground.

Thus, the sectional form illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 is adaptable to provide straight type steps having treads parallel to the structure foundation; the tread depth is determined by the length differential of the leg members of each vertically disposed frame. Normally, the length diierential is one foot in accordance with conventional practice. It is obvious, however, that the teaching of the present invention is amendable to whatever tread depth is desired, depending upon the length differential of the leg members in each succeeding frame. While only two superimposed frames have been shown, it is obvious that any number of progressively shorter frames may be employed. The width of tread depends upon the vset of perforations 23 placed into registry with holes 21 of side wall 19; the perforation pairs 23 being spaced at close intervals across the length of back members 14, a Wide range of tread Widths is attainable. The riser height is dependent upon the Width of back members 14, which is in turn equal to the width of leg mmebers 13 and ,28;

' customarily a riser height of 7%, inches is employed.

The alternate sectional form embodiment, as illustrated in FIGURES 3-6, is preferred for side steps wherein the treads are perpendicular to and in direct abutment with the structure foundation wall 35. Additionally, the alternate sectional form 40 is in direct abutment against a stoop 38 located below doorway 39, conveniently illustrated herein as a concrete capped block stoop. Sectional form 40 is generally similar to form and comprises a pair of superimposed frames including a lower and longer frame 41 and an upper frame 4Z. Lower frame 41 includes a solitary leg member 43 perpendicular to and detachably connected with a crosswise back member 44; leg member 43 is also parallel to foundation wall 35. Lower frame leg member 43 is an elongate nearly rectangular tray having a planar base 45 and three ilanged integral side walls perpendicular to the base and turned outwardly of form 40. The two elongate parallel side walls 46 and 47 of leg member 43 are provided with pairs of vertically aligned holes 48, each aligned pair being approximately one foot apart. Shorter integral side wall 49 of leg member 43 is provided with a plurality of holes 51. Planar base 45 is generally rectangular though truncated about 1%: inch along side wall 47, as indicated by the dotted line in FIGURE 6. A unitary bracket 50, comprising a multiperforate rectangular portion 52 at right angles to a circular wedge portion 53, is pivotably connected to leg member 43 so that the rectangular portion is perpendicular to planar base 45.

When the elongate structural elements have four integral flanged side walls, e.g., leg members 13 and 28 and back member 44, the elongate side walls may take a trapezoidal shape, as indicated in heavy dotted line in FIGURES 2 and 4, so as to facilitate outward bending of the integral flanged shorter side walls.

As can be seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, crosswise back member 44 is of generally elongate rectangular tray construction having a planar rectangular base 54 and four ilanged integral side walls turned outwardly of form 40. Rectangular base 54 is provided with several sets of perjforation pairs 55, each pair being in registry with two perforations in the rectangular portion 52 of bracket 50, each set of pairs being about six inches apart. The two elongate parallel side walls 56 and 57 of back member 44 are centrally provided with a pair of vertically aligned holes 58. Additionally, the upper elongate side wall 56 is provided with a second hole 59 closely spaced to hole 58. One of the shorter sides of back member 44 is provided with an integral side wall 60 of three portions at right angles to one another including a first portion 61 adjacent and perpendicular to rectangular base 54, an intermediate portion 62 extending toward the interior of the tray, and a perforated terminal portion 63 parallel to and o'set from the rst portion 61. The lower frame 41 is detachably connected by means of fasteners 64, e.g. bolts and wing nuts, passing through selected perforations 55 and registered perforations 65 of bracket 50. Lower frame 41 is supported in an upright position by elongate side walls 47 of leg member 43 and by elongate side wall 57 of back member 44.

Upper frame 42 of form 40 is of similar construction to that of lower frame 41 except that upper frame solitary leg member 66 is about one foot shorter than lower frame leg member 43. The two elongate parallel side Walls 67 and 68 of upper frame leg member 66 are provided with a pair of vertically aligned holes 69. Crosswise back member 44 of upper frame 42 is in all respects identical to the back member of lower frame 41, Upper frame 42 thus comprises crosswise back member 44 detachably connected in perpendicular relationship to a solitary leg member 66 by means Iof fasteners 64. The upper frame leg member 66 overlies lower frame leg member 43, and the upper frame is supported uprightly in this position by elongate side Wall 68 resting upon elongate side wall 46.

As shown in FIGURE 3, form 40 is maintained in abutment both against structure foundation 35 and a stoop 38. Both lower frame 41 and upper frame 42 are held tightly against foundation 35 by means of wooden blocks 70 temporarily nailed thereto. In turn, the perforate terminal portions 63 of back members 44 are nailed to blocks 70. The upright sides of form 40 are maintained perpendicular to the ground and resist outward movement even While the form is iilled with semi-Huid concrete by virtue of vertical rods 30 passing through vertical aligned holes 48 and 69 in leg members 43 and 66, respectively, and into the ground. Rods 30 can be maintained in the vertical position by means of taut wires 34 connecting a rod to a block 70 or directly nailed to wall 35. Maintenance of form 40 in abutment with the concrete capped stoop 39 is accomplished by means of nails 36 passing through holes 51 of side walls 49; additionally, a vertical stake 37 passes through vertically aligned holes 58 of the lower frame 41 and into the ground. Outward bowing of the upper frame back member 44 can be prevented by means of a diagonal brace 71 of generally righttriangular shape, one end of the brace 71 being in abutment against upper frame back member 44. The apex of brace 71 includes an integral pin 72 passing through perforation 59 of flange 56 in lower frame back member 44 so as to tix the fore position of brace 72.

As can be seen in FIGURES 5 and 6, a unitary bracket 50 is pivotably connected to the slightly truncated ends of leg members 43 and 66 by means of pivot pin 77 passing through rectangular base 45 and the tapered end of circular wedge portion 53. Wedge portion 53 is at right angles to bracket rectangular portion 52, which in turn is detachably connected with fasteners 64 to crosswise back members 44. Near the arcuate edge 74 of wedge portion 53 remote of its tapered end are two holes 75 and 76 spaced about :i inch apart, hole 76 being nearer to and having like spacing from rectangular portion 52 as does pivot pin 77. An attaching bolt 73, in vertical alignment with pivot pin 77, passes through rectangular base 45 and either of arbitrarily selected holes 75 or 76. If hole 75 is arbitrarily selected for passage of bolt 73, then the rectangular portion 52 will be perpendicular to the elongate side walls, e.g. 46 and 47, ofthe leg member to which attached; thus, the back member 44 detachably connected to bracket 50 provides a step construction having a vertical riser or a so-called standard step. When hole 75 is employed, the circular web portion 53 of bracket 50 complements the truncated portion of rectangular base 54 and makes it of full rectangular shape.

On the other hand, when hole 76 is arbitrarily selected for passage of bolt 73, then the rectangular portion 52 will be conterminous with the truncated end of leg members 43 and 66, and thus oblique to the integral elongate side walls, e.g. 46 and 47. Back members 44 detachably connected to bracket 50 provides a step construction having an ott-vertical slanting riser as determined by the 1% inch truncated end of leg members 43 and 66 or a socalled commercial step having a 3%; inch deeper tread. When hole 76 is employed, block 70 must be slanted a corresponding degree.

From the foregoing, the construction and yoperation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sectional form into which concrete is adapted to be poured to produce a stair unit, said sectional form comprising:

(A) A pair of superimposed frames, each of/said frames comprising a plurality of elongate substantially rectangular trays, each tray having a planar Igenerally-rectigular base and a plurailty of anged integral side walls, the side walls being turned outwardly of the form, ea-ch of said elongate trays being supported in an upright position by one of the longer flanged side walls thereof, one of said trays being a leg member detachably connected to a second tray back member of the frame,

(a) the two parallel elongate flanged side Walls of the leg member being multi`perforate in vertical alignment along the length of the elongate tlanged side walls, one elongate dimension of the leg member planar base being slightly truncated, (b) a bracket pivotably connected to the leg member by means of a pivot pin, said pivotably connected bracket comprising a multi-perforate rectangular portion integrally and perpendicularly connected to a circular wedge portion, said pivot pin .passing through the leg member planar base near its full length elongate dimension and through the tapered end of the circular wedge portion, the circular wedge portion being provided with two perfor-ations near the arcuate edge thereof, and a removable fastener passing through one of said two circular wedge perforations and through the leg member planar base near the truncate elongate dimension thereof, (c) the two parallel elongate flanged side walls of the deta-chably connected back member being centrally perforate in vertical alignment along the length of the elongate flanged side walls, said back member rectangular base being provided with sets of perforations, each set being in registry with perforations of the multi-perforate rectangular portion of the leg member pivotably connected bracket, the leg of the upper frame overlying the frame of the frame therebeneath, the upper frame leg being shorter Ithan the lower leg therebeneath so las to displose the back members of the superimposed frames in oitset relationship so that said oiset backs provide stair risers for the form, While the two overlying legs provide upright sides for the fonm, (B) Detachable bolt connections between the back member of each frame and the pivotably connected bracket of the adjacent leg members, 'and (C) Both of said overlying legs being detachably held in vertical alignment against shifting relative to one another by a vertical rod passing through the vertically aligned perforations in each of said elongate anged integral side walls -of the two overlying legs, and means above the superimposed frames for maintaining said rod in a vertical condition.

2. The sectional form of claim 1 wherein .a shorter side of said back members is provided with an integral bent side wall comprising:

(i) a tirst portion adjacent and perpendicular to said tray recetangular base,

(ii) an intermediate portion extending into the interior of the tray, and

(iii) a perforate terminal portion perpendicular to said tray rectangular base and in parallel offset relationship to said tlrst portion.

3. A sectional fonm into which concrete is adapted to be poured to produce a stair u nit, said sectional form comprising:

(A) A pair of superimposed frames, each of said frames comprising a plurality of elongate substantially rectangular trays, each tray having a planar generally rectangular base and a plurality of flanged integral side walls, the side walls being turned outwardly -of the form, each of said elongate trays being supported in an upright position by one of the longer flanged side walls thereof, one of said trays being a leg member detachably connected to a second tray back member of the frame,

(a) the two parallel elongate llanged side walls of the leg member being multiaperforate in vertical alignment along the length of the elongate flanged side walls, a shorter anged side wall of the leg member being multi-perforate,

(b) the two parallel elongate flanged side walls of the detachably connected back member being centrally perforate in vertical alignment along the length of the elongate flanged side Walls, one of said two elongate flanged side Walls being additionally perforate near to said vertically aligned perforation, said back member rectangular base being provided with sets of perforation-s, each set being in registry with the perforations of said leg member shorter side Wall, a shorter side of said back member bein-g provided with an integral bent side wall comprising:

(i) a first portion adjacent and perpendicular to said tray rectangular base, (ii) an intermediate portion extending into the interior of the tray, and (iii) a terminal portion perpendicular to said tray rectangular base, said terminal portion being perfor-ate, the leg of the upper frame overlying the leg of the frame therebeneath, the upper frame leg being shorter than the lower leg therebeneath so as to dispose the back members of the superimposed frames in otset relationship so that said offset backs provide stair risers for the form, while the two overlying legs provide upright sides for the forms,

(B) Detachable bolt connections between the back member of each frame and short side walls of the adjacent leg members,

(C) Both -of -said `overlying legs being detachably held in vertical alignment against shifting relative to one another by a vertical rod passing through the vertically 'aligned perforations in each of said elongate flanged integral side walls of the two overlying legs, means above the overlying frames for maintaining said rod in vertical condition,

(D) A vertical stake passing through the vertical aligned perforations in the elongate anvged integral side walls of the lower frame back rmember, and (E) A removable diagonal brace extending between the upper frame and lower frame back members, said i diagonal brace havin-g a pin at one terminus thereof,

said pin passing through the additional perforation of said lower frame back member elongate anged side wall, the second terminus of said diagonal base the tapered end of the wedge portion, the Wedge portion being provided with at least one perforation positioned remotely of the tapered end thereof, and a removable fastener passing through a said remotely positioned Wedge peroration and through the leg member planar base near the truncate elongate dimension thereof,

being in rm abutment against the rectangular base (c)hthedtwohpabr1al1el elongae 1ilanlged sid) Waljls of of the upper frame back member. t e etac a y lconnecte ac mem er eing 4. A sectional foam into which concrete is adapted to centrally perforate in vertical alignment along be poured to produce a stair unit, said sectional form cornthed lengh of the elongate iianged side walls,

risin sai bac member rectangular base being prop (A)g A pair of superimposed frames, each of said 10 vided with sets of perforations, each set being frames comprising a plurality of elongate substantialin registry with perforations of the multi-iperly rectangular trays, each tray having a planar genforate rectangular portion of the leg member erally-rectangular base and a plurality of anged inpivotably connected brackett tegral side Walls, the `side walls being turned outwardthe leg of the upper frame overyling the frame of the ly of the form, each of said elongate trays being supframe therebeneath, the upper frame leg being short- :ported in an upright position by `one of the longer er than the lower leg therebenealth so as to dispose flanged sjde ialls liheof, one nfd'sid trays biig a dit? ltiacl itnemllers of tthte suerniptosd kiraniesn eg mem er etac a y conneoe o a secon ray o se re aions ip so a sai o se ac s provi e back member of the frame, stair risers for the form, while the two overlying legs (a) the two parallel elongate anged side walls of 20 (Bprovde uprlijght sides for the form, and

the leg member being multi-perforate in ver- Detac a e bolt connections between the back tical alignment along the length of the elongate member of each frame and the pivotably connected flanged side walls, one elongate dimension of the bracket of the adjacent leg members. leg member planar base being slightly truncated, (b) a bracket pivotably connected to the -leg mem- References Cited by the Examiner ber by means of a pivot pin, said pivotably con- UNITED STATES PATENTS nected Abracket comprising a multi-perforate recmehr Portion integrally ed esperma jii i aea:iiiizl connected to a wedge portion, said pivot pin 1 644 587 10/1927 H 1 e tzel 249-208 passing through the leg member planar base near its full length elongate dimension and through 2610380 9/1952 Penman 249-14 3,126,605 3/1964 Davis 249-14 I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

G. A. KAP, R. S. ANNEAR, Assistant Examiners, 

4. A SECTIONAL FORM INTO WHICH CONCRETE IS ADAPTED TO BE POURED TO PRODUCE A STAIR UNIT, SAID SECTIONAL FORM COMPRISING: (A) A PAIR OF SUPERIMPOSED FRAMES, EACH OF SAID FRAMES COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR TRAYS, EACH TRAY HAVING A PLANAR GENERALLY-RECTANGULAR BASE AND A PLURALITY OF FLANGED INTEGRAL SIDE WALLS, THE SIDE WALLS BEING TURNED OUTWARDLY OF THE FORM, EACH OF SAID ELONGATE TRAYS BEING SUPPORTED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION BY ONE OF THE LONGER FLANGED SIDE WALLS THEREOF, ONE OF SAID TRAYS BEING A LEG MEMBER DETACHABLY CONNECTED TO A SECOND TRAY BACK MEMBER OF THE FRAME, (A) THE TWO PARALLEL ELONGATE FLANGED SIDE WALLS OF THE LEG MEMBER BEING MULTI-PERFORATE IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE ELONGATE FLANGED SIDE WALLS, ONE ELONGATE DIMENSION OF THE LEG MEMBER PLANAR BASE BEING SLIGHTLY TRUNCATED, (B) A BRACKET PIVOTABLY CONNECTED TO THE LEG MEMBER BY MEANS OF A PIVOT PIN, SAID PIVOTABLY CONNECTED BRACKET COMPRISING A MULTI-PERFORATE RECTANGULAR PORTION INTEGRALLY AND PERRPENDICULARLY CONNECTED TO A WEDGE PORTION, SAID PIVOT PIN PASSING THROUGH THE LEG MEMBER PLANAR BASE NEAR ITS FULL LENGTH ELONGATE DIMENSION AND THROUGH THE TAPERED END OF THE WEDGE PORTION, THE WEDGE PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE PERFORATION POSITIONED REMOTELY OF THE TAPERED END THEREOF, AND A REMOVABLE FASTENER PASSING THROUGH A SAID REMOTELY POSITIONED WEDGE PERFORATION AND THROUGH THE LEG MEMBER PLANAR BASE NEAR THE TRUNCATE ELONGATE DIMENSION THEREOF, (C) THE TWO PARALLEL ELONGATE FLANGED SIDE WALLS OF THE DETACHABLY CONNECTED BACK MEMBER BEING CENTRALLY PERFORATE IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE ELONGATE FLANGED SIDE WALLS, SAID BACK MEMBER RECTANGULAR BASE BEING PROVIDED WITH SETS OF PERFORATIONS, EACH SET BEING IN REGISTRY WITH PERFORATIONS OF THE MULTI-PERFORATE RECTANGULAR PORTION OF THE LEG MEMBER PIVOTABLY CONNETED BRACKET, THE LEG OF THE UPPER FRAME OVERLYING THE FRAME OF THE FRAME THEREBENEATH, THE UPPER FRAME LEG BEING SHORTER THAN THE LOWER LEG THEREBENEATH SO S TO DISPOSED THE BACK MEMBERS OF THE SUPERIMPOSED FRAMES IN OFFSET RELATIONSHIP SO THAT SAID OFFSET BACKS PROVIDE STAIR RISERS FOR THE FORM, WHILE THE TWO OVERLYING LEGS PROVIDE UPRIGHT SIDES FOR THE FORM, AND (B) DETACHABLE BOLT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE BACK MEMBER OF EACH FRAME AND THE PIVOTABLY CONNECTED BRACKET OF THE ADJACENT LEG MEMBERS. 